Covington is requesting input from its citizens on how to use the roughly $3.5 million it anticipates receiving this year from the federal government for two established grant programs that support neighborhoods.
The funds allotted through the HOME and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs must be used for public infrastructure, such as parks and roadways, and initiatives to lower the cost of housing.
In addition to holding a public hearing on Thursday, February 20, the City has developed an online poll to gather public input. Parking is available close to the Hellman Creative Center, 321 West 12th St./M.L. King Jr. Boulevard, where the hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m.
As the City creates its one-year Annual Action Plan and a more comprehensive, five-year Consolidated Plan, officials say the input is not only beneficial but also required.
The public has a chance to offer much-needed information and opinions, according to John Hammons, the CDBG/HOME Program Coordinator for the City. Every submission is taken into account. In recent years, Austinburg Park has been improved and funds have been allocated to the preservation of affordable homes as a result of public participation.
Although the total value of the allocations has not yet been established, it is anticipated to be approximately $3.5 million, of which approximately $1.8 million will come from the CDBG program and $1.7 million from HOME funding.
A wide range of services and initiatives, mostly in low- and moderate-income communities, are funded by the Community Development Block Grant program. These include housing rehabilitation, crime prevention, code enforcement, economic development, street and streetscape infrastructure, park improvements, and literacy.
Through initiatives like incentives to help develop new homeownership options and down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, the HOMEE program normally contributes to the creation of affordable housing. Covington is a member of a regional consortium for the HOME program, which also includes the cities of Ludlow, Newport, Florence, Erlanger, Bellevue, and Dayton.
An Annual Action Plan is the culmination of the final spending decisions. To put things in perspective, the City’s current 2024–2025 Annual Action Plan outlines how it is allocating its present money to projects like park enhancements, emergency repairs for residents, literacy initiatives, roadway resurfacing, and targeted crime prevention.
The public will have another chance to comment on the City’s draft plan for using the grant monies during a comment period once it has been created. Before being sent to HUD for approval, the plan needs to be authorized by the Covington Board of Commissioners.
Covington City
